TQCM

Mark 10

Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalances

The Mark 10 Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance (MK10 TQCM) has become the defacto industry standard TQCM. By cooling the 10 or 15 MHz quartz crystals, measurements can be made of the mass flow as it intercepts and is condensed at a specific temperature. For space applications, the Sunwise crystal option has been added to minimize the solar thermal radiation input on the crystals.

The Mark 10 Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance (MK10 TQCM) has become the defacto industry standard TQCM. By cooling the 10 or 15 MHz quartz crystals, measurements can be made of the mass flow as it intercepts and is condensed at a specific temperature. For space applications, the Sunwise crystal option has been added to minimize the solar thermal radiation input on the crystals.

Introducing

The Mark 10 Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance (MK10 TQCM) has become the defacto industry standard TQCM. By cooling the 10 or 15 MHz quartz crystals, measurements can be made of the mass flow as it intercepts and is condensed at a specific temperature. For space applications, the Sunwise crystal option has been added to minimize the solar thermal radiation input on the crystals.

The MK10 can be cooled by its own in-situ thermoelectric Peltier element without any external refrigerant, with a delta T of > 70°C when the heat sink is at ambient temperature. This feature makes it particularly useful for material laboratories in the investigation of vacuum outgassing of spacecraft materials. Monolayers of contamination are quite easily seen. Additionally, a flight MK10 placed on a satellite will assure that the sensor crystal temperature for condensation of the particular contaminates will be obtained. Two MK10 sensors have been supplied, for example, for measuring the backflow of gasses onto a satellite from an ion rocket exhaust.

Baking the QCM at 40° to 50°C eliminates the accumulated contaminants. The technique of slowly raising the temperature can be used for selectively identifying all of the fractionations that may be condensed. If the MK10 is actually cooled externally at its heat sink plane of attachment, the lowest temperature at which it can operate is extended to approximately -200°C.

MK10 TQCMs can be flight approved and have a successful flight history. Custom orders are common and welcome. Call to discuss how we can build a MK10 TQCM system to meet your needs.

Diagrams

Specifications

Sensor Output

2K to ~250KHz

Temperature Range

100 to <-100°C (Active), 100 to -199°C w/o Temp Control (Passive)

Signal Amplitude

>6 to 10Vpp

Voltage Sensitivity

<23 Hz/V

Output Impedance

12KΩ

Pressure Range

Ambient to Hard Vacuum

Supply Voltage

8 to 12 VDC (10V nominal)

Continuous Power Requirement

~120mW @ 10VDC w/o Peltier

Peltier Heat Load

6.25 watts maximum

Weight

120 grams

Field of View

74.5° Half Angle

Crystal Frequencies

10 MHz Crystals

15 MHz Crystals

Mass Sensitivity

2.26 x 108 (Hz/gm)cm2

5.09 x 108( Hz/gm)cm2

Frequency Range

To ~ 100KHz

To ~ 150KHz

Mass Range

4.42 x 10-4gm/cm2

2.95 x 10-4gm/cm2

Warranty

QCM Research products are warranted for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of receipt by the purchaser against defects in materials
and workmanship. QCM Research expressly limits its liability to the replacement or repair of the article furnished (this choice is
at the sole discretion of QCM Research). This warranty does not apply to products that have been disassembled, modified or subjected
to conditions exceeding the applicable product specifications and ratings. In the event of any of the foregoing, the warranty will be
void. Failure due to excessive contamination is not covered under warranty, whether from proper or improper use. QCM Research disclaims
any warranty other than as specifically set forth herein, and may discontinue models or alter their specifications without notice.

Contamination and Outgassing Detection Products for Laboratories and Aerospace

Mark 10

Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalances

Overview

The Mark 10 Thermoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance (MK10 TQCM) has become the defacto industry standard TQCM. By cooling the 10 or 15 MHz quartz crystals, measurements can be made of the mass flow as it intercepts and is condensed at a specific temperature. For space applications, the Sunwise crystal option has been added to minimize the solar thermal radiation input on the crystals.

The MK10 can be cooled by its own in-situ thermoelectric Peltier element without any external refrigerant, with a delta T of > 70°C when the heat sink is at ambient temperature. This feature makes it particularly useful for material laboratories in the investigation of vacuum outgassing of spacecraft materials. Monolayers of contamination are quite easily seen. Additionally, a flight MK10 placed on a satellite will assure that the sensor crystal temperature for condensation of the particular contaminates will be obtained. Two MK10 sensors have been supplied, for example, for measuring the backflow of gasses onto a satellite from an ion rocket exhaust.

Baking the QCM at 40° to 50°C eliminates the accumulated contaminants. The technique of slowly raising the temperature can be used for selectively identifying all of the fractionations that may be condensed. If the MK10 is actually cooled externally at its heat sink plane of attachment, the lowest temperature at which it can operate is extended to approximately -200°C.

MK10 TQCMs can be flight approved and have a successful flight history. Custom orders are common and welcome. Call to discuss how we can build a MK10 TQCM system to meet your needs.

Specifications

Sensor Output

2K to ~250KHz

Temperature Range

100 to <-100°C (Active), 100 to -199°C w/o Temp Control (Passive)

Signal Amplitude

>6 to 10Vpp

Voltage Sensitivity

<23 Hz/V

Output Impedance

12KΩ

Pressure Range

Ambient to Hard Vacuum

Supply Voltage

8 to 12 VDC (10V nominal)

Continuous Power Requirement

~120mW @ 10VDC w/o Peltier

Peltier Heat Load

6.25 watts maximum

Weight

120 grams

Field of View

74.5° Half Angle

Crystal Frequencies

10 MHz Crystals

15 MHz Crystals

Mass Sensitivity

2.26 x 108 (Hz/gm)cm2

5.09 x 108( Hz/gm)cm2

Frequency Range

To ~ 100KHz

To ~ 150KHz

Mass Range

4.42 x 10-4gm/cm2

2.95 x 10-4gm/cm2

Warranty

QCM Research products are warranted for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of receipt by the purchaser against defects in materials
and workmanship. QCM Research expressly limits its liability to the replacement or repair of the article furnished (this choice is
at the sole discretion of QCM Research). This warranty does not apply to products that have been disassembled, modified or subjected
to conditions exceeding the applicable product specifications and ratings. In the event of any of the foregoing, the warranty will be
void. Failure due to excessive contamination is not covered under warranty, whether from proper or improper use. QCM Research disclaims
any warranty other than as specifically set forth herein, and may discontinue models or alter their specifications without notice.